In a truly unprecedented literary achievement by author and editor Lawrence Block, this newly-commissioned anthology reveals seventeen superbly crafted stories, each inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper.
Contributors include Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Robert Olen Butler, Michael Connelly, Megan Abbott, Craig Ferguson, Nicholas Christopher, Jill D. Block, Joe R. Lansdale, Justin Scott, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Warren Moore, Jonathan Santlofer, Jeffery Deaver, Lee Child, and Lawrence Block himself
Also, Gail Levin, Hopper’s biographer and compiler of his catalogue raisonee, contributes with her own first work of fiction, providing a true account of art theft on a grand scale and told in the voice of the country preacher who perpetrated the crime.
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“Many of the narrations are artful, deepening the poignancy and terror the authors invest in their characters and plots. Art historian Gail Levine’s first first fiction appears here, beautifully realized by George Newbern, while Carrington MacDuffie wrings every bit of twisted American culture from ‘Still Life, 1931’ by Kris Nelscott. A fine crossover listen for short story fans, Hopper fans, and noir enthusiasts.”
— AudioFile
“This absolutely superb anthology starts out with two advantages: a true legend at the helm in crime writer Lawrence Block and a fascinating concept…Every story is superlative.”
— USA Today (4 out of 4 stars)“If a picture is worth a thousand words, any of Edward Hopper’s paintings of American loneliness is worth an entire short story. Ekphrasis―seeing a story in a picture―was seldom so much fun.”
— Washington Post“Without doubt, Alfred Hitchcock would be pleased. Hopper and Block, master mesmerists.”
— Virginian-Pilot“An anthology of conspicuous brilliance. A grand, masterly anthology.”
— Buffalo News“Short stories by seventeen writers…dramatically start where the paintings leave off.”
— San Francisco Chronicle“[A] darkly alluring, deliciously unnerving union of art and story.”
— Booklist (starred review)“This strong collection begins in a spirit of homage but winds up showing how powerful inspiration can be.”
— Kirkus ReviewsBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Lawrence Block is the recipient of a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and a New York Times bestselling author. His prolific career spans over one hundred books, including four bestselling series and dozens of short stories and articles. He has won multiple Edgar, and Shamus awards, two Falcon Awards from the Maltese Falcon Society of Japan, the Nero and Philip Marlowe Awards, the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of America, and many others. Aside from being a mystery writer, he has also written a number of episodes for television, including two episodes of the ESPN series Tilt; he also cowrote the screenplay for the film My Blueberry Nights, starring Norah Jones. Block currently lives in New York City with his wife, Lynne.
Stephen King has written more than sixty books, many hitting the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. He has won the World Fantasy Award, several Bram Stoker Awards, and the O. Henry Award for his story “The Man in the Black Suit.” He is the 2003 recipient of the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and in 2007 he received the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. His epic works The Dark Tower and It are the basis for major motion pictures.
Joyce Carol Oates, an award-winning author of fiction, nonfiction, short stories, plays, and novellas, is the author of some of the most enduring fiction of our time, including two New York Times bestsellers. Her books have won the National Book Award, O. Henry Award, the Jerusalem Prize, and the National Humanities Medal, among others. Her work has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize several times. She has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 1978.
Colleen Delany has been a sparkling jewel in the crown of Washington’s vastly talented acting community for thirty-seven days now and will confidently challenge to a fierce best out of three in “paper-rock-scissors” anyone wishing to topple her from that lofty perch. Primarily a stage actress,—having played roles at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Folger Shakespeare Library, Studio Theatre, Olney Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Theater J, Washington Stage Guild, Theater of the First Amendment, and Source Theatre, among others—Ms. Delany does a you-name-it of various acting jobs, including audiobook narration.